Scotch is sipped neat (room temp, no ice or mixer). If he drinks it any other way, do not buy him expensive whiskey because he cannot taste it.
Single malts are the best exhibition of Scotch whiskey BUT they are very individual. If you can get him to tell you which he likes then you can dare that.
Johnny Walker blue label is a blended scotch but is universally regarded as ‘very good’. It is very not cheap but I invested in a bottle a few years ago and shared it with friends as the first drink for quite a while. I never had a comment that was less than ‘great’ (and my friends are not shy).
good luck
Your second drink of scotch can be half the quality of the first and you will probably not notice.
12 year old McCallen is pretty darn good too.
Maybe if you would offer to give him the massage yourself, you could get by with a cheaper brand of Scotch.
You didn’t give us a price range but you did say special ... look for Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Go with Lagavulin 16 yr - excellent value for money.
Fishing Girl:
For a more traditional Scotch, try the coastal Islay offerings, like Ardbeg:
I prefer Islays, Springbank, Lagavulin, etc... Macallans are excellent, also.
Don’t settle for the mass marketed stuff for this occasion.
Scourby’s. If it were any better you would keep it for yourself, if it were any worse no one could drink it.
Just right!
If you want the “perfect” scotch, I would suggest as some others have that you buy Lagavulin. It is absolutely fantastic and, in my opinion, the best scotch I’ve ever had. I’ve tried lots of different malts (there is actually a pretty wide variety) and I find this the best.
Various Laphroaig varieties - quarter cask, 15 year, and 18 year - are very good also. They are quite peaty, though, so keep that in mind if you have any idea of what he likes.
Also, for a “dark horse” candidate, consider Yamazaki. It’s not from Scotland, no, but it is actually an excellent single malt whiskey.
Personally, I think that Lagavulin would show that you took the time to learn about some of the best scotch in the world. Yamazaki is an excellent choice if you want to expand his horizons also.
“Glenfiddich” or “Glenlivet” are both very good. If you want to impress him by paying more for it, “The Famous Grouse” might be a choice.
I’m allergic to beer - found out the hard way early and went back for more but my body just can’t deal with something in it. Do I drink spirits or wine or hard cider or mead etc....in any case I agree with 1rudeboy up around post 5 or do - its a personal taste. Some people prefer blends some don’t. I like Jameson’s as a standard but treaty self to the good stuff on occasion. When I say the good stuff I mean aged 25+, since it isn’t often I don’t stick with any particular brand in order to ensure I partake of each at least once it journey. If you don’t want to ask them find out where he shops for his and go ask the fellas behind the counter if he’s a regular they’ll know what he drinks most likely and can hook you up that way and you still have your surprise.
My favorite is Dewars. But if you are going with a single malt Bomar is very good.
May be hard to find, and I would only get it in the cylindrical container vs. the box.
Really GOOD STUFF!!
you don’t buy him a massage...you give him a massage as a very personal gift......been there, done that!!!
I’m cheap.... try BoonesFarm strawberry hill.
For those times when you have guests, get an empty bottle of a really good scotch and fill it partially with store label scotch ( $8/quart) of similar color and put it in your liquor cabinet. When friends come over who are scotch drinkers, they'll be very impressed but only you will know.
A Scottish woman, 5’7”, dark hair, brown eyes, and single.
There. Shopping is so easy if you know what you want.
For something special, I might add Old Pulteney - especially the 21 vintage (though you may have to go Briton to get it).
But, if you want a conversation piece - get "Sheep Dip." Which, surprisingly, is comparable to the Glens.
